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Developing an Indigenous Community Electrification Program

Developing an Indigenous Community Electrification Program. Working with the Shonto Chapter. What, Why and How. Dr. Dean Howard Smith Professor, Economics and Applied Indigenous Studies. Development By Random Design. Sustainable Energy Solutions. “From Concept to Realization”.

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Developing an Indigenous Community Electrification Program

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  1. Developing an Indigenous Community Electrification Program Working with the Shonto Chapter What, Why and How Dr. Dean Howard Smith Professor, Economics and Applied Indigenous Studies

  2. Development By Random Design Sustainable Energy Solutions

  3. “From Concept to Realization” The mission of the Sustainable Energy Solutions Group is to provide society with broadly educated energy experts and new technologies, as well as to help shape energy decision-making in both the private and public sectors while increasing the public's energy literacy.

  4. Dean Smith The issues facing the energy segment of the US economy are becoming increasingly significant as the markets become more concerned with deregulation, distribution and air quality issues. These issues include improved technologies for producing electricity and alternative technologies for renewable energy.

  5. Tom Acker Areas of research include renewable energy systems, aerodynamics, combustion instabilities, and high temperature gas dynamics. In addition, he is also involved in research developing small-scale renewable energy systems.

  6. Sustainable Energy Solutions • The TED team • Tom • Earl • Dean • Others as Needed

  7. Sustainable Energy Solutions From Concept to Realization Market Outcomes

  8. Navajo Solar Electrification Project • 2000-01 • 18,000 homes without access to electricity • Estimate $250 million Navajo Electrification for Sustainable Development: The Potential Economic and Social Benefits Craig Bain, Crystal Ballentine, Anil DeSouza, Lisa Majure, Dean Howard, Jill Turek American Indian Culture and Research Journal, 2004

  9. Benefits of Electrification • Economic Development • Cultural Integrity • Health Improvement • Education Improvement

  10. Economic Development • Jobs with local installation, maintenance and repair business • Expanded arts and crafts creation • Retail sales for appliances etc • Multiplier process

  11. Cultural Integrity Development within a cultural context Development of the society within an indigenous context – not just jobs and income Wind and Solar are renewable resources

  12. Social and Cultural Development • This project involves far more than simply putting solar panels on roofs • Labor saving devices and appliances • Frees time for other activities • Safety- outdoor lighting • Singing • Dancing

  13. Formal Education • Fewer chores=more time for homework • Better environment for homework • Internet connections for some

  14. Informal Education • More time for traditional stories and histories • Parents and grandparents will have more time for sharing knowledge • Merging two worlds

  15. Arts and Crafts • Home based businesses • More time and better environment • Traditional education component

  16. Language Preservation • Installers • Associates degrees –general education • More time for traditional stories and histories

  17. Health Improvement • Nutrition • With refrigerators there is opportunity to store food • The variety of foods available to the people can expand • Vegetables • Milk • Frozen goods • Nutritional variation 

  18. Health Improvement • Diabetes •  Insulin and other medications can be kept cool in a refrigerator • Telemedicine • Avoids use of kerosene in houses

  19. Energy Development Issues • Energy development can provide local jobs, tribal income, and energy self-sufficiency, while also providing important contributions to the broader energy-hungry U.S. economy • At the same time, energy development can damage the earth, streams, air, and even tribal culture if not carried out in an environmentally and culturally respectful manner • There is an inherent compatibility between renewable energy and traditional values that respect the earth, air, and water

  20. Shonto Electrification Project • 2005-present • 200+ houses without electricity • Local Governance Act (LGA) • First certified Chapter • 10 years!!!!!!! • Great Local Leadership • Former/current NAU students • Exciting community atmosphere

  21. Initial Energy Audit Electrification Renewable Resource Assessment Mapping System design Project evaluation Storage H2O, CA, Batteries Resource Alternatives and Analysis Generation Wind, Solar Priority listing Business Plan Retrofit needs Financing Financing Financing Transmission and other negotiations Negotiations Implementation and Construction Shonto Energy Planning and Implementation Energy Efficiency

  22. Determining the Types of Systems • Remote isolated systems will be targeted for stand alone units. • Clustered housing can be targeted for shared distributed systems – mini sun/wind farms. • Installation and maintenance schedules can be determined that minimize travel and other costs. Which System for Which Home?

  23. Business Plan System design Retrofit needs Financing Implementation and Construction Shonto Electrification The simple steps left

  24. Locating Unserved Houses DONE • Using GIS analysis • May require outside consultant • Use census maps to locate all houses • Use providers maps • Create overlay and locate unserved units • Have community meetings to confirm the estimates DONE Identify the initial 20 homes

  25. Arizona Policy • APS credit $2/watt off-grid • Other providers? • Green credits • 25% AZ tax credit up to $1000 • Off reservation wages

  26. Federal Tax Credit • 30% no limit • and for piping or wiring to interconnect a system to the home • may be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year

  27. Needs Assessment Process Development • Due to the current lack of sustained economic activity and the corresponding low income levels, few of the targeted households will be able to fully purchase and maintain the electrification systems. • However, many households will be able to make regular monthly partial payments. As such a family needs assessment process will be developed to determine each family’s ability to pay. Ability To Pay Analysis

  28. Maintenance • Maintenance is ESSENTIAL • Battery systems regular schedules • Trained personnel • Toxic and environmentally hazardous • Solar panels – minimal • Costs built into funding assessment

  29. To Do List • Clarify the relationship with the Arizona Sustainable Growth Fund and get a firm commitment • Negotiate with suppliers/installation company • Install demonstration units

  30. To Do List For the ASGF • Identify specific houses • DONE • Conduct retrofit assessments • DONE • Conduct “needs” assessment, or ability to pay • Ability to purchase appliances • DONE

  31. Schedule education of households Schedule deliveries of equipment Schedule installations

  32. Business Startup • Transition plan needs developing • Work with CAIED on the details of the business startup • Develop pro forma business projections • Identify initial investment needs • How will the demand be developed? • Remote system monitoring? • Who will be the investors • Chapter?

  33. Time to Create a New Reality

  34. Now The Scary Step Start the business!

  35. “Why Renewable Energy?” Asks Dean

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